# NTSB GAA16CA326: Schweizer G 164, N36333, Cummings, ND, June 17, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 17, 2016, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Cummings, ND - Coordinates: 47.484165, -97.074996 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4842&lon=-97.0750&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93442 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA326 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93442/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93442 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA326 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate rate of descent while landing, which resulted in a hard landing, short of the runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped turbine powered airplane reported that while landing, he reduced the power and there was an increased descent rate. The pilot added power but reported that the engine rpm did not have time to accelerate. The airplane touched down about 10 feet short of the runway in tall grass, the right main landing gear sheared off during the impact, the nose of the airplane dropped and the propeller impacted the ground. The airplane rotated to the left and came to a stop in a ditch, sustaining substantial damage to both the wings and their lift struts. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported as a safety recommendation, to allow plenty of runway space in case of a sudden increase in descent rate while landing. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped turbine powered airplane reported that while landing, he reduced the power and there was an increased descent rate. The pilot added power but reported that the engine rpm did not have time to accelerate. The airplane touched down about 10 feet short of the runway in tall grass, the right main landing gear sheared off during the impact, the nose of the airplane dropped and the propeller impacted the ground. The airplane rotated to the left and came to a stop in a ditch, sustaining substantial damage to both the wings and their lift struts. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported as a safety recommendation, to allow plenty of runway space in case of a sudden increase in descent rate while landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36333](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N36333), registered now, S/N 785B, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER AIRCRAFT CORP G 164 (B) - Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 785B - Year built: 1986 - Engines: Walter M601-E11 560 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Sky Tractor LLC - Registered owner: Sky Tractor LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: 5ND9, Cummings, ND - Destination: 5ND9, Cummings, ND - Airport: 5ND9, DECK Airport, runway 34, 4,400 × 60 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 28, 2016; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 265 total, 15 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: MVX, 11 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20160617008949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160617008949A), Jun 17, 2016: Schweizer Aircraft Corp G-164B, Cummings, ND, Substantial damage. Pilot touched down short of the runway. Upon impact the aircraft veered left and impacted a railroad embankment causing substantial damage to aircraft. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 20, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93442. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442465&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photograph (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 471 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442466&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photograph%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Preliminary Notice (item 3, .PDF, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442467&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Preliminary%20Notice-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.